El Wingador Talks New Book, Wing Bowl & More With ‘Philly Voice’

El Wingador Talks New Book, Wing Bowl & More With ‘Philly Voice’

Local Philadelphia online publication Philly Voice recently interviewed Bill “El Wingador” Simmons on his new book, Snow On The Barb Wire, his upcoming return to the Wing Bowl stage this February in Wing Bowl 25, and the restaurant he is currently developing.

Part of the article, which was written by Philly Voice contributor Stephen Silver, can be read below.

Bill Simmons, also known as “El Wingador,” has lived one of the more colorful lives of anyone in the Philadelphia area.

A man whose many careers have included food entrepreneur and truck driver, the 6 ft. 5 in. Simmons rose to fame as the four-time champion of the annual Philadelphia bacchanal known as Wing Bowl, which he parlayed into a line of chicken wing sauces and a variety of TV appearances.

But Simmons has also made headlines for less positive reasons – he was convicted in 2013 of dealing cocaine, and did around a year and a half in prison. Now free, the 55-year-old Simmons is out with a new memoir, Snow on the Barb Wire, co-written with local sportswriter Joe Vallee.

The 150-page book is full of amusing eating stories, but also goes to some dark places. Simmons speaks candidly about his entire life story, from the streets of Philadelphia to the Wing Bowl stage – to Hollywood – to his stint in New Jersey state prison. He’s not shy about owning up to his own failures, whether it’s the actual crimes, or his missteps as a husband and father.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey, Simmons was always a big eater, although he didn’t get involved with Wing Bowl or the competitive eating world until he was in his late 30s, mostly going up against much younger competitors.